Ultra-Orthodox conscription: A dilemma for Israel
As Israel enters its seventh month of conflict, the government faces a dilemma regarding whether to conscript ultra-Orthodox Jews into the army, according to Arab News and other agencies on March 28th.
In Israel, turning 18 means the start of mandatory military service, with men serving for two years and eight months, and women for two years. Yet, the ultra-Orthodox, who are full-time religious students at schools called yeshivas, have historically been exempt from conscription since Israel’s formation in 1948. In 2023 alone, 66,000 members of the community received exemptions, underscoring their commitment to religious pursuits over military obligations.
This exemption stands against the backdrop of a burgeoning ultra-Orthodox population, which at 1.3 million – 13% of Israel’s total population – is rising rapidly due to a fertility rate more than double that of the average Israeli woman. The ongoing war with Hamas has, however, pressured the government to consider tapping into this significant reserve to bolster its army.
The debate reached a fever pitch when Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara highlighted the absence of a legal framework to sustain the status quo, potentially opening the door for the conscription of ultra-Orthodox individuals starting April 1st. The right-wing Likud government, which counts on the ultra-Orthodox parties for electoral support, found itself at odds with how to address the proposed exemptions without alienating key allies. The war coalition government consists of seven parties, including two ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and Otzma Yehudit – who, until now, have been staunch supporters of Netanyahu, but have recently opposed drafting members of their community.
Despite their exemption, ultra-Orthodox are also seen as proponents of some of Israel’s most extreme policies, such as settlement expansion. Amidst the conscription debate is a contentious plan by Netanyahu’s government to establish a settlement covering 800 hectares in the West Bank. Cabinet ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, known for their religious hardline positions, have been central to this initiative – which has been widely condemned by the international community, including strong objections from the US and France. In addition, a far-right religious rally was held in Jerusalem on January 28th – also attended by Minister Ben Gvir – which celebrated the potential return of Israeli settlements to the Gaza strip.
READ: US and France slam Israel’s Gaza settlement idea
As a community, the ultra-Orthodox receive privileges other Israeli citizens don’t have access to, including exemption from army service and funding. In 2023, the government agreed to grant unprecedented funding – equaling over $1 billion – for Orthodox yeshivas.
Amidst these challenges, Netanyahu remains focused on avoiding early elections, which would likely favour his rival Benny Gantz of the National Unity Party. Gantz’s centrist position appears more appealing to a significant portion of the electorate, as recent polls suggest.
Additionally, the Biden administration has pressured the Israeli government to call early elections. Majority Leader of the US Senate, Chuck Schumer, criticised Netanyahu as a “major obstacle to peace”, highlighting the need for a shake-up in government.
Read: Top US senator slams Netanyahu, demands elections
In 2023, Netanyahu’s administration pushed forward with repressive judicial reforms that the ultra-Orthodox community supported – but in exchange for continued military exemptions. How Netanyahu balances these internal divisions and international concerns will be a testament to his political acumen in the face of mounting devastation and the potential assault on Rafah.
